Seoul: First lady Kim Hea Kyung has been diagnosed with an ear disease called otolithiasis, the presidential office said Tuesday. Park Sang-min, a physician for President Lee Jae Myung, stated that Kim experienced sudden dizziness on Monday night and received treatment at the official residence. She was subsequently diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in her right ear following a medical examination.

According to Yonhap News Agency, due to this diagnosis, Kim was unable to accompany President Lee for his planned summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the southeastern city of Busan on Tuesday. Although her condition has shown some improvement, Kim continues to experience dizziness and has opted to rest for several days, Park confirmed.

“Since otolithiasis requires maintaining a stable lifestyle without head movement even after treatment, it has become unavoidable for the first lady to cancel her schedule today,” Park explained. Kim had originally been scheduled to join President Lee for a dinner with Prime Minister Ishiba following the summit discussions.